Mobile appliance lift tool

ABSTRACT

A mobile appliance lift tool is provided which includes a cart having a frame and a pair of legs. Each leg has a sleeve pivotally attaching the leg to an end of the frame. Each sleeve is adapted to travel up and down the leg to selectively move the frame between a substantially horizontal configuration and a substantially inclined configuration. The tool includes a strut, a support platform having a horizontal orientation, a bottom frame, and a lift mechanism engaged between the support platform and the bottom frame to move the support platform toward and away from the bottom frame, while maintaining the support platform&#39;s horizontal orientation. The strut is mounted to the bottom frame and pivotally attached to the end of the cart&#39;s frame so that the strut is disposed in a horizontal orientation when the frame is moved to either the horizontal or the inclined configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/145,509, entitled “Appliance Lift Tool,” filedon May 14, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a tool which may be used totransport and lift microwave ovens and other appliances and cabinets.

[0003] Oftentimes appliances, such as microwave ovens, double built-inovens, and air conditioning units, need to be moved in or around apremises before being positioned and secured above the ground or floorto a wall or cabinet structure. For example, a microwave oven istypically positioned in a kitchen above a range or cooktop and securedin that position by removable threaded fasteners to a kitchen wall or toadjacent cabinets. To transport, install, or remove the microwave oven,typically requires at least two people. One person is typically neededto lift and support the microwave oven, while another person secures orremoves the threaded fasteners supporting the microwave oven. Because ofthe limited space available for two people to be working on the sameappliance, and because of the awkward positioning of the appliancedirectly above another appliance, installing and removing the microwaveoven is typically costly, time consuming and has the potential forcausing damage to the appliances or injury to the installers.Furthermore, heavier appliances, such as a double built-in oven or andair conditioning unit, are difficult to transport within or around thehome or building premises where the unit is to be installed.

[0004] Lifting tools are known for lifting and positioning various itemssuch as cabinets, however, typically these lifting devices are supporteddirectly on the floor and require a clear space beneath the item beinglifted and positioned in place, which cannot occur when the item is anitem such as a microwave oven being installed or removed from aboveanother appliance, such as a range or cooktop.

[0005] In addition, carts or dollies are known for transporting a heavyappliance but these dollies typically do not allow the appliance to bemoved close to the space it is to be secured, requiring at least twopeople to lift the appliance into its final position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Systems consistent with the present invention provide a mobilelifting tool for a microwave oven or other appliance, cabinet or similaritem which is to be used for transporting the appliance from onelocation to another and for installing or removing the appliance from,for example, under a cabinet.

[0007] The tool may include a cart having a first pair of wheels, a pairof legs, and a frame. The pair of wheels may be rotatably mounted near afirst end of the frame. Each leg may have a sleeve pivotally attachingthe leg to a second end of the frame. Each sleeve is adapted to travelup and down the leg to selectively move the frame between asubstantially horizontal configuration and a substantially inclinedconfiguration. The tool also includes a support platform having ahorizontal orientation, a bottom frame, a lift mechanism engaged betweenthe support platform and the bottom frame to move the support platformtoward and away from the bottom frame, while maintaining the supportplatform's horizontal orientation. In addition, the tool may include astrut mounted to the bottom frame of the lift tool and pivotallyattached to the second end of the frame of the cart. The strut may bedisposed in a horizontal orientation when the frame is moved to thehorizontal configuration and to the inclined configuration to furthermaintain the support platform's horizontal orientation.

[0008] In one implementation, the tool also includes a base plate thathas a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer edge and an inner edgepivotally attached to the first end of the frame such that the baseplate may be rotated to a position that is substantially perpendicularto a horizontal axis of the cart, and the strut may selectively rest onthe outer edge of the base plate when the frame is in the inclinedconfiguration. The strut may also selectively rest on the top surface ofthe base plate when the second end of the frame is raised such that theframe is in a vertical position. In addition, the strut may selectivelyrest on the bottom surface of the base plate when the frame is in thehorizontal configuration and the base plate is pivoted so that the topsurface rests on the frame.

[0009] The mobile appliance lifting tool may fully support the weight ofthe appliance when transported in either the inclined or the horizontalconfiguration of the tool, and when the supporting platform is raised bythe lift mechanism of the tool such that the appliance may be accuratelypositioned and held in place by the tool during installation or removalof the appliance from, for example, an upper cabinet.

[0010] In this manner, a single person may use the tool to transport theappliance from one location to another and to install or remove theappliance thus obviating the need for a second person to be involved inthe operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a mobile appliance lift toolembodying principles of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the lift toolincluded in the mobile appliance lift tool of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of the lift tool of FIG. 2.

[0014]FIG. 4 depicts a front elevational view of the lift tool of FIG.2.

[0015]FIG. 5 depicts a side elevational view of the lift tool of FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of the lift tool of FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the lifttool included in the mobile appliance lift tool of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 8 depicts a plan view of the lift tool of FIG. 7.

[0019]FIG. 9 depicts a side elevational view of the lift tool of FIG. 7.

[0020]FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of the cart of the mobileappliance lift tool of FIG. 1 deployed in a vertical configuration.

[0021]FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of the cart of the mobileappliance lift tool of FIG. 1 deployed in an inclined configuration.

[0022]FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of the cart of the mobileappliance lift tool of FIG. 1 deployed in a horizontal configuration.

[0023]FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of the mobile appliance lifttool of FIG. 1 deployed in an inclined configuration.

[0024]FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of the mobile appliance lifttool of FIG. 1 deployed in a horizontal configuration.

[0025]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the lifttool included in the mobile appliance lift tool of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention issusceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modificationswhich may differ particularly from those that have been described in thepreceding specification and description. It should be understood that wewish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all suchmodifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of ourcontribution to the art.

[0027]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a mobile appliance lift tool100 embodying principles of the present invention. The mobile appliancelift tool 100 includes a cart 110, a lift tool 120, and one or morestruts 130 and 140 that operably connect the lift tool 120 to the cart110 as described below.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the lift tool 120 includes a top plate orsupport platform 222 having a horizontal orientation for engaging andsupporting a microwave oven or some other appliance or cabinet, orsimilar object, a bottom frame 223 for supporting the lift tool and alift mechanism 225 engaged between the top plate 222 and the bottomframe 223 to move the top plate 222 toward and away from the bottomframe 223 while maintaining the top plate's horizontal orientation.

[0029] Although the invention may be practiced in many differentembodiments and structures, three such embodiments have been selectedfor this disclosure which Applicant has found to be particularly usefuland effective.

[0030] If desired, an additional wear plate 224 may be secured on top ofthe top plate 223. The wear plate 224 may be made of a material, such asplastic, to ease in cleaning and adjusting the position of the upperappliance while it is being supported by the top plate 222.

[0031] The top plate 222 in this embodiment is held in a horizontalorientation via the lift mechanism 225 which includes a pivotarrangement with a pair of first 226 and second 228 pivot arms locatedat either lateral side of the top plate 222. An upper end 229 of thefirst pivot arm 226 engages with a slot 230 formed in a downwardlydepending sidewall 232 of the top plate 222. A roller 234 is rotatinglycarried on the upper end 229 of the first pivot arm 226 and is receivedin the slot 230. A lower end 238 of the first pivot arm 226 is pivotallyattached to a bottom plate 240 which, in this embodiment, may form apart of the bottom frame 223. The second pivot arm 228 is pivotally andslidingly engaged at an upper end 242 (see FIG. 5) thereof near a rearedge 244 of the top plate 222 and is pivotally attached at a lower end246 (see FIG. 5) to the bottom plate 240. The first pivot arm 226 andsecond pivot arm 228 are pivotally connected to each other by a pin 248midway along their lengths so that the two pivot arms pivot relative toeach other in a scissors fashion. The lower end 246 of the second pivotarm 228 slidingly engages the bottom plate 240 by means of a roller 250(see FIG. 5) rotatingly held on the lower end 246 of the second pivotarm 228 which engages in a track 252 (see FIG. 1) of the bottom plate240 formed by an upstanding sidewall 254 and a horizontal flange 256. Inthis manner, the top plate 222 and bottom plate 240 are held in aparallel relationship to one another by the two sets of pivot arms 226,228 and may move toward and away from each other in this parallelrelationship by the scissoring movement of the pivot arms that arepivotally secured to the rear side of the top plate and bottom plate andslidingly received near the front side of the top plate and bottomplate.

[0032] Other lifting mechanisms differing from the pivot arm arrangementdisclosed may also be used according to the invention, so long as thetop plate 222 is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation as itis raised and lowered.

[0033] To stabilize and strengthen the lifting tool 120 and the pivotarms 226, 228, in this embodiment, part of the bottom frame 223 mayinclude a mid-plate 258 secured to the two second arms 228, such as bythreaded fasteners, and a runner block 260 extending as a cross memberbetween the two lower ends 246 of the second pivot arms 228. A lowerpivot block 262 extends between the two lower ends 238 of the firstpivot arm 226 and is secured to the bottom plate 240. A roller bar 264extends between the two upper ends 229 of the first pivot arm 226 and atop pivot block 266 extends between the two upper ends 242 of the secondpivot arm 228 and is secured to the top plate 222. In this manner, arigid support frame is provided for the pivot arms 226, 228 whichinhibits racking and which assures smooth parallel movement of the topplate 222 relative to the bottom plate 240. The various components whichcomprise the bottom frame 223 may be joined together as a fewer numberof integral pieces than as shown in the illustrated embodiment or may befurther sub-divided into additional individual components. Depending onthe weight and size of the appliances to be lifted by the lift tool 220,not all of the structural elements of the bottom frame 223 may benecessary for a given application or additional structural elements maybe utilized.

[0034] Extending between the runner block 260 and the lower pivot block262, in this embodiment, as part of the lift mechanism 225, is a drivescrew 268 which is rotatingly received in the lower pivot block 262 andcaptured there in an axial direction, such as by a retaining ring 269(See FIG. 6). The drive screw 268 extends through the runner block 260unimpeded, for example passing through a bearing 271 or other frictionreducing device held in the runner block 260. The portion of the drivescrew 268 extending through the runner block 260 has a smoothcylindrical surface. A portion of the drive screw 268 extending betweenthe runner block 260 and the lower pivot block 262 is threaded to engagein a threaded opening located in a surrounding material which is fixedin position relative to the runner block 260. For example, a stabilizertriangle 270 is secured to the runner block 260, such as by threadedfasteners, and lays parallel to and above the drive screw 268. At a rearedge of the stabilizer triangle 270 there is secured a threaded rodretainer block 272 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) containing the threaded openingthrough which is threadingly received the drive screw 268. The rodretainer block 272 is secured to the stabilizer triangle 270, forexample, by threaded fasteners. The threaded opening could also beformed directly in the runner block 260 or in an object connecteddirectly to the runner block 260, alternatively to the arrangement asshown where the rod retainer block 272 is connected indirectly to therunner block 260.

[0035] The drive screw 268 is preferably provided with a drive profile274 such as a square or hex protrusion or recess for receiving andengaging a complementarily shaped driver, such as an electricallypowered drill with a square or hex head driver bit or a manually poweredwrench or driver.

[0036] As the drive screw 268 is rotated, the rod retainer block 272will be caused to move forward or backward along the threaded portion ofthe drive screw 268, thereby moving the runner block 260 forward orbackward due to the connection through the stabilizer triangle 270. Inthis manner, the scissors pivoting action of the first and second pivotarms 226, 228 may be effected.

[0037] Cams, gears, ratchets or other motion converting devices,preferably employing a mechanical advantage, may be used to drive thelift mechanism 225.

[0038] In the implementation shown in FIGS. 2-6, the lift tool 120 mayinclude a front strut 276 and a rear strut 278 to extend laterally belowthe front and rear of the bottom plate 240, respectively, to allow thelift tool 120 to be operated standalone without the cart 110 so that thecart 110 may be free to be used for other purposes. Alternatively, thestruts 276, 278 may be used to removeably attach the lift tool 120 tothe cart 110 to form the mobile appliance lift tool 100 as furtherdiscussed below.

[0039] The struts 276, 278 may be secured to the bottom plate 240 of thelift tool 120 via front 280 and rear 282 flanges extending from thebottom plate 240. The flanges 280, 282 may include slots 284 to permitforward or rearward adjustment of one or both struts 276, 278 asrequired for a particular installation application. As shown in FIG. 1,the flanges 280, 282 may extend from one side of the bottom plate 240 ofthe lift tool 120 such that the other side of the bottom plate 240 maybe placed flush against a surface 112 of the cart 110 to further securethe lift tool 120 to the cart 110.

[0040] A threaded bolt 286 may also be provided in a vertical slot 288formed in the front and rear struts 276, 278 such that the bolts 286 maymove laterally along a portion of the struts. A pad 290 may be held on alower, head end of each bolt 286. A jam nut 292 (see FIG. 4) may becarried on a threaded shank of each bolt 286 and positioned below thestruts, 276, 278 while a wing nut 294 is threadingly engaged onto an endof the bolt opposite the pad 290. In this standalone implementation ofthe lift tool 120, the pads 290 function as feet to engage a supportingsurface for the lift tool 120 and the jam nuts 292 may be used toprovide a leveling adjustment so that each of the four pads may engagethe support surface, even when the support surface has some unevennessor if it is not perfectly level. The wing nuts 294 may be selectivelyuntightened and re-tightened to permit the bolts 286 to moved laterallyso that a proper support surface may be engaged by the pads 290.

[0041] As best seen in FIG. 3, the pads 290 are positioned outside of aperimeter of the top plate 222. Although the pads 290, which function asfeet for the lift tool 120, are shown in this embodiment to be laterallyand vertically movable, and the front pads moveable in a front-to-backdirection relative to the bottom plate 240, various other embodiments inwhich the lift tool 110 is used without the cart 120 may include fixedpads or pads movable in fewer or more ways than shown in the exemplaryembodiment disclosed. At least three feet or pads are required in thisstandalone implementation of the lift tool 120, and in some situations,more than four may be utilized.

[0042] A carrying handle 296 may be secured to the bottom plate 240, forexample by threaded fasteners. The handle 296 may also be secured to oneof the top plate 222. A strap 298 may be secured to the lift tool 20,for example, to the rear strut 278 to extend rearwardly of the rearstrut. The strap 298 likewise may be secured to the top plate 222 orbottom plate 240. The carrying handle 296 or the strap 298 may be usedto carry the lift tool 120 when the lift tool 120 is not operablyconnected to the cart 120 to form the mobile appliance lift tool 100 asdescribed below.

[0043] Shoulder bolts 102 may be provided to extend vertically from therunner block 260 and lower pivot block 262 to engage with a lower sideof the roller bar 264 and top pivot block 266 when the top plate 222 hasbeen moved to its lowermost position, to inhibit over closing of thelift tool 220.

[0044] Friction reducing strips 304 may be provided on the lower plate240 for engagement by the runner block 260 to assist in the smoothpivoting action of the lift mechanism 225.

[0045] FIGS. 7-9 depict another embodiment of the lift tool 700 includedin the mobile appliance lift tool 100. The lift tool 700 comprises a topframe 702 having a top plate 703, a bottom frame 704 having a bottomplate 705, and a lift mechanism 706. The top plate 703 has asubstantially horizontal orientation for engaging and supporting amicrowave oven or some other appliance or cabinet, or similar object.The lift mechanism 706 may be engaged between the top frame 702 and thebottom frame 706 to move the top plate 703 toward and away from thebottom frame 704 while maintaining the top plate's horizontalorientation.

[0046] In this embodiment, the top 702 and bottom 704 frames each haveupstanding sidewalls 712 and 714 and a horizontal flange 716 and 718that define a pair of tracks 708 and 710 for the top and bottom frames.In addition, the top 702 and bottom 706 frames each has a pair of frontrod retainer blocks 720 and 722 disposed within the tracks 708 and 710such that each front rod retainer block 720 and 722 may be engaged toslidingly move along the respective track 708 and 710. The top 702 andbottom 704 frames both have a front rod 724 extending as a cross memberbetween the front rod retainer blocks 720 and 722 of the respectiveframes. In one implementation, the front rods 724 may be pivotallyattached to the front rod retainer blocks 720 and 722. In thisimplementation shown in FIGS. 7-9, each rod retainer block 720 and 722has an opening to receive an end of the front rod 724 such that thefront rod 724 may be engaged to rotate within the rod retainer block 720and 722. Thus, the front rod may move the front rod retainer blocks 720and 722 in unison within the tracks 708 and 710 when the front rod 724is engaged to pivot or rotate.

[0047] The top 702 and bottom 704 frames also have a pair of rear rodretainer blocks 726 and 728, and a rear rod 730. Each rear rod 730extends as a cross member between the rear rod retainer blocks 726 and728. Each rear rod 730 is pivotally attached to respective rear rodretainer blocks 726 and 728. In this implementation shown in FIGS. 7-9,each rod retainer block 726 and 728 has an opening to receive an end ofthe rear rod 730 such that the rear rod 730 may be engaged to rotatewithin the rod retainer blocks 726 and 728. The rear retainer rods 730are affixed to the top plate 703 and bottom plate 705, respectively.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the lift mechanism 706 includes a pair offirst 732 and second 734 pivot arms disposed in relation to eitherlateral sidewall 712 of the top plate 703. An upper end 736 of the firstpivot arm 732 engages the front rod 724 of the top frame 702. The firstpivot arm 732 may be attached to the front rod 724 of the top frame suchthat the front rod 724 is adapted to pivot or rotate while causing thefront rod retainer blocks 720 to move along the tracks 708 of the topframe. A lower end 738 of the first pivot arm is pivotally attached tothe bottom plate 705. In the implementation shown in FIGS. 7-9, thelower end 738 is pivotally attached to the rear rod 730 of the bottomframe 704. The second pivot arm 734 has a lower end 740 that engages thefront rod 724 of the bottom frame 704. The second pivot arm 734 may beattached to the front rod 724 of the bottom frame such that the frontrod 724 is adapted to pivot or rotate while causing the front rodretainer blocks 722 to move, preferably in unison, along the tracks 710of the bottom frame. An upper end 742 of the second pivot arm 734 ispivotally attached to the top plate 703. In the implementation shown inFIGS. 7-9, the upper end 742 is pivotally attached to the rear rod 730of the top frame 702. The first pivot arm 732 and second pivot arm 734are pivotally connected to each other by a pin 744 approximately midwayalong their lengths so that the two pivot arms pivot relative to eachother in a scissors fashion. In this manner, the top plate 703 andbottom plate 705 are held in a parallel relationship to one another bythe two sets of pivot arms 732, 734 and may move toward and away fromeach other in this parallel relationship by the scissoring movement ofthe pivot arms that are pivotally secured to the rear side of the topplate and bottom plate and slidingly received near the front side of thetop plate and bottom plate.

[0049] In one implementation, the lift mechanism 706 may have two pairsof pivot arms 732, 734, where each pair is preferably disposed in mirrorrelationship to the other pair and in proximity to a midpoint of the topplate 703. In this implementation, the lift mechanism 706 has a rodretainer block 746 extending as a cross member between the two secondpivot arms 734. The rod retainer block 746 is preferably disposed inproximity to the lower ends 740 of the second pivot arms 734. The pivotarms 732, 734, the front rods 724, rear rods 730, and the rod retainerblock 746 provide a rigid support frame, which inhibits racking andwhich assures smooth parallel movement of the top plate 703 relative tothe bottom plate 705. The various components which comprise the topframe 702 and the bottom frame 704 may be joined together as a fewernumber of integral pieces than as shown in the illustrated embodiment ormay be further sub-divided into additional individual components.

[0050] The lift mechanism 706 may also have a drive screw 748 and apivot block 750 that has a threaded opening to receive and engage thedrive screw 748. The drive screw 748 is rotatingly received in the pivotblock 750 and may be captured there in an axial direction, such as by aretaining ring 269 (as shown in FIG. 6 for lift tool 120). The pivotblock 750 may be pivotally attached to the bottom frame 705 near therear of the bottom frame 704. The drive screw 748 extends between therod retainer block 746 and the pivot block 750. The threaded opening ofthe rod retainer block 746 may be located in a surrounding material thatis fixed in position relative to the front rod 724 and to the pivotblock 750. In one implementation, the bottom frame has two parallelwalls or brackets 752 and 754 that are affixed (e.g., via fasteners) tothe bottom plate 705 and disposed such that the drive screw 248 liesaxially between the brackets 752 and 754. In this implementation, thepivot block 750 may be pivotally attached between the brackets 752 and754 such that the pivot block 750 is raised a height 756 above thebottom plate 705 to allow the drive screw 248 to clear the rear rod 730of the bottom frame 704.

[0051] The drive screw 748 is preferably provided with a drive profile758 such as a square or hex protrusion or recess for receiving andengaging a complementarily shaped driver, such as an electricallypowered drill with a square or hex head driver bit or a manually poweredwrench or driver.

[0052] As the drive screw 748 is rotated, the rod retainer block 746will be caused to move forward or backward along the threaded portion ofthe drive screw 748, thereby moving the rod retainer block 746 forwardor backward. In this manner, the scissors pivoting action of the firstand second pivot arms 732, 734 may be effected.

[0053]FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of thelift tool 800 included in the mobile appliance lift tool 100. Like thelift tool 700, the lift tool 800 comprises a top frame 702 having a topplate 703, a bottom frame 704 having a bottom plate 705. The lift tool800, however, has a lift mechanism 802 that is different than the liftmechanism 706 of the lift tool 700 as explained in detail below. Thelift mechanism 802 may be engaged between the top frame 702 and thebottom frame 706 to move the top plate 703 toward and away from thebottom frame 704 while maintaining the top plate's horizontalorientation.

[0054] The top frame 702 and the bottom frame 704 of the lift tool 800each has a pair of tracks 708 and 710, a pair of front rod retainerblocks 720 and 722 (not in view in FIG. 15) disposed within the tracks708 and 710, and a front rod 724 extending as a cross member between thefront rod retainer blocks 720 and 722 of the respective frames. In theimplementation shown in FIG. 15, the front rods 724 of the top andbottom frames 702 and 704 are pivotally attached to the front rodretainer blocks 720 and 722 so that the front rods 724 may move thefront rod retainer blocks 720 and 722 in unison within the tracks 708and 710 when the front rods 724 are engaged to pivot or rotate.

[0055] The top 702 and bottom 704 frames also have a pair of rear rodretainer blocks 726 (not in view in FIG. 15) and 728, and a rear rod 730that extends as a cross member between the respective rear rod retainerblocks 726 and 728. Each rear rod 730 is pivotally attached to therespective rear rod retainer blocks 726 and 728. The rear retainer rods726 and 728 are affixed to the top plate 703 and bottom plate 705,respectively.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 15, the lift mechanism 802 includes a pair offirst 732 and second 734 pivot arms disposed in relation to eitherlateral sidewall 712 of the top plate 703. An upper end 736 of the firstpivot arm 732 engages the front rod 724 of the top frame 702 as shown inFIG. 8 for lift tool 700. The first pivot arm 732 may be attached to thefront rod 724 of the top frame such that the front rod 724 is adapted topivot or rotate while causing the front rod retainer blocks 720 to movealong the tracks 708 of the top frame. A lower end 738 of the firstpivot arm 732 is pivotally attached to the bottom plate 705. In theimplementation shown in FIG. 15, the lower end 738 is pivotally attachedto the rear rod 730 of the bottom frame 704. The second pivot arm 734has a lower end 740 that engages the front rod 724 of the bottom frame704. The second pivot arm 734 may be attached to the front rod 724 ofthe bottom frame 704 such that the front rod 724 is adapted to pivot orrotate while causing the front rod retainer blocks 722 to move,preferably in unison, along the tracks 710 of the bottom frame. An upperend 742 (not in view in FIG. 15) of the second pivot arm 734 ispivotally attached to the top plate 703, and is preferably attached tothe rear rod 730 of the top frame 702 as shown in FIG. 9 for lift tool700. The first pivot arm 732 and second pivot arm 734 are pivotallyconnected to each other by a pin 744 (as shown in FIG. 9 for lift tool700) approximately midway along their lengths so that the two pivot armspivot relative to each other in a scissors fashion. In this manner, thetop plate 703 and bottom plate 705 are held in a parallel relationshipto one another by the two sets of pivot arms 732, 734 and may movetoward and away from each other in this parallel relationship by thescissoring movement of the pivot arms that are pivotally secured to therear side of the top plate and bottom plate and slidingly received nearthe front side of the top plate and bottom plate. In one implementationas shown in FIG. 15, the lift mechanism 802 has two pairs of pivot arms732, 734, where each pair is preferably disposed in mirror relationshipto the other pair and in proximity to a midpoint of the top plate 703.The pivot arms 732, 734, and the front rods 724 provide a rigid supportframe, which inhibits racking and which assures smooth parallel movementof the top plate 703 relative to the bottom plate 705.

[0057] The lift mechanism 802 of the lift tool 800 also includes a jack804 operably coupled to the front rod 724 of either the top or bottomframes 702 and 704 and operably configured to selectively adjust adistance 806 between the front and rear rods 724 and 730. The jack 804may be operably coupled between the front and rear rods 724 and 730 ofthe bottom frame 704. In the implementation shown in FIG. 15, the jackhas two pairs of first 808 and second 810 lever arms each having aninner end 812, 814 and an outer end 816, 818. The pair of lever arms 808and 810 are disposed in relation to the bottom plate 705 and pivotallyattached together near the inner end 812 and 816 of each lever arm. Theouter end 816 of the first lever arm 808 engages the front rod 724 ofthe bottom frame 704 while the outer end 818 of the second lever arm 810engages the bottom frame 704. The outer end 814 of the first lever arm808 may be attached to the front rod 724 of the bottom frame so that thefront rod 724 is adapted to pivot or rotate while causing the front rodretainer blocks 722 to move along the tracks 710 of the top frame andwhile causing, via the first and second pivot arms 732 and 734, thefront rod retainer blocks 720 to move along the tracks 708. The outerend 818 may be pivotally attached to the rear rod 730 of the bottomframe 704 so that the front rod 724 is adapted to pivot or rotate whenengaged by the first pivot arm 732 as described above. The liftmechanism 802 also may include a first jack clamp 820 adapted to receivea portion of the front rod 724 and a pin 822 adapted to extend throughthe clamp 820 and through the outer end 816 of the first lever arm 808so that the front rod 724 is retained within the clamp 820. The liftmechanism 802 may also include a second jack clamp 824 adapted toreceive a portion of the rear rod 730 and a pin 826 adapted to extendthrough the clamp 824 and through the outer end 818 of the second leverarm 810 so that the rear rod 730 is retained within the clamp 824.

[0058] In the implementation shown in FIG. 15, the jack 802 of the liftmechanism 802 has two pairs of lever arms 808 and 810, where each pairis preferably disposed in mirror relationship to the other pair and inproximity to a midpoint of the bottom plate 705. In this implementation,the jack 802 has a drive screw 828, a rod retainer block 830 that has athreaded opening to receive and engage the drive screw 828, and a pivotblock 832 that is adapted to rotatingly receive and capture the drivescrew 828 in an axial direction, such as by a retaining ring 269 (not inview in FIG. 15).

[0059] The rod retainer block 830 is pivotally attached to the innerends 812 and 814 of a first of the two pairs of lever arms 808 and 810.The pivot block 832 is pivotally attached to the inner ends 812 and 814of a second of the two pairs of lever arms 808 and 810.

[0060] As the drive screw 828 is rotated, the rod retainer block 830will be caused to move forward or backward along the threaded portion ofthe drive screw 828, thereby moving the pivot block 832 forward orbackward causing the two pair of lever arms 808 and 810 to pivot andselectively adjust the distance 806 between the front and rear rods 724and 730. When the distance 806 is selectively adjusted by the jack 804,scissors pivoting action of the first and second pivot arms 732, 734 iseffected.

[0061] To connect the lift tool 700, 800 to the cart 110 to form themobile appliance lift tool 100, the bottom plate 705 of the lift tool700, 800 may include a front flange 280 and a rear flange 282 to securestruts 276, 278 to the bottom plate 705 of the lift tool 700, 800 asdiscussed above and explained in further detail below.

[0062] FIGS. 10-12 depict one embodiment of the cart 110 of the mobileappliance lift tool 100. As discussed below, the cart 120 may bedeployed in multiple configurations to facilitate the transport and useof the lift tool 120, 700, 800. For example, the cart 110 may bedeployed in a substantially vertical configuration as shown in FIG. 10,an inclined configuration as shown in FIG. 11, and in a substantiallyhorizontal configuration as shown in FIG. 12.

[0063] In the implementation shown in FIG. 10, the cart 110 includes afirst pair of wheels 1002 and 1004, a pair of legs 1006 and 1008, and aframe 1010. The frame has a lower end 1012 and an upper end 1014. Asdiscussed below, the legs 1006 and 1008 are pivotally attached to theupper end 1014 of the frame 1010 to allow the cart 110 to be deployed ineither the vertical, inclined, or horizontal configuration.

[0064] Each wheel 1002, 1004 of the cart 110 is rotatably mounted to arespective lateral side 1016, 1018 of the frame 1010 near the lower end1012 of the frame such that the frame 1010 may be rotated about an axis1020 parallel to the lower end 1012. The wheels 1002 and 1004 may bemounted on an axle 1022, which may be pivotally attached to the frame1010 near the lower end 1012 via a pivot block 1024. As shown in FIG.10, the pivot block 1024 has one end 1026 that includes an opening 1028though which the axle 1022 is rotatingly retained. The pivot block 1024has another end 1030 that is pivotally attached to the lower end 1012 ofthe frame 1010. The frame may include a stop 1032 that extends away fromthe lower end 1012 of the frame 1010 such that the stop 1032 may engagethe pivot block 1024 to inhibit the pivot block 1024 from rotatingbeyond the stop 1032 as clearly shown in FIG. 12. The stop 1032 may be abar, cylindrical rod, or other supporting member capable of withholdinga force upon the axle 1022 or the pivot block 1024, such as from theforce from a person's foot.

[0065] It is contemplated that a single wheel 1002 may be used. Inparticular, a single wheel 1002 may be used when the wheel 1002 ispivotally attached along a central axis of the frame and when the wheel1002 has a width sufficient to balance the cart 110 in the horizontalconfiguration or the inclined configuration.

[0066] The cart 110 may also include a base plate 1036 that has a frontend 1038 (or outer edge) and a rear end 1040. The rear end 1040 of thebase plate 1036 may be pivotally attached to the lower end 1012 of theframe 1010 such that the base plate 1036 may be rotated between a downor first position that is substantially perpendicular to the frame 1010as shown in FIG. 10 and an up or second position that is substantiallyparallel to the frame 1010 as shown in FIG. 12. In one implementation,the cart 110 may have a brace 1042, which may be a rigid wall, that isattached to the rear end 1040 of the base plate 1036. The brace 1042 isadapted to abut or engage the lower end 1012 of the frame 1010 so as toinhibit further rotation of the base plate 1036 when the base plate 1036is rotated to the down position, which is substantially perpendicular tothe frame 1010. The brace 1042 may also have L-shaped ends 1044. In oneimplementation, the lower end 1012 of the frame 1010 is pivotallyattached between the L-shaped ends 1044 of the brace 1042. In anotherimplementation, the brace 1042 may also have internal walls 1046. Inthis implementation, the frame 1010 includes two supporting members 1048that correspond to respective sides 1016 and 1018 of the frame 1010.Each supporting member 1048 has an end 1050 that define the lower end1012 of the frame 1010. The end 1050 of each supporting member 1048 maybe disposed between a respective L-shaped end 1044 and internal wall1046 of the brace 1042. In this implementation, each L-shaped end 1044,each internal wall 1046, and each end 1050 of the supporting members1048 has a respective opening that is adapted to receive and retain apin 1052 or rod shaped fastener such that the brace 1036 may pivot orrotate between the down position and the up position.

[0067] The frame 1010 may include one or more cross-members 1054, 1056,and 1058, which extend between sides 1016 and 1018 of the frame 1010(e.g., between support members 1048) to provide a rigid structure to theframe 1010. As discussed in detail below, one of the cross-members(e.g., the upper cross-member 1058) may extend beyond the sides 1016 and1018 of the frame 1010 so the struts 276, 278 may engage the uppercross-member 1058, allowing the lift tool 120, 700, 800 to be secured tothe cart 110.

[0068] To allow the cart 110 to be deployed between the verticalconfiguration and either the inclined or the horizontal configuration,the cart 110 may include an upper link 1060 pivotally attached to one ofthe supporting members 1048, a lower link 1062 pivotally attached to theupper link 1060, and a secondary cross-member 1064 extending between andoperably connected to the legs 1006 and 1008 of the cart 110. The upperlink 1060 has a first end 1068 and a second end 1070. The first end 1068of the upper link 1060 may be pivotally attached by a pin 1072 to thesupporting member 1048 between the lower end 1012 and a midpoint of theframe 1010. The lower link 1062 may also have a first end 1074 and asecond end 1076. The first end 1074 of the lower link 1062 is pivotallyattached to the cross-member 1064. The second end 1070 of the upper link1060 and the second end 1076 of the lower link 1062 are pivotallyconnected to each other by a pin or rod 1078 so that the two links 1060,1062 pivot relative to each other. The upper link 1060 may have a flangeor cap 1080 that abuts the lower link 1062 when the legs 1006, 1008 arerotated away from the frame 1010 and the upper and lower links 1062 and1064 are axially aligned. The cap 1080 is adapted to inhibit the twolinks 1060, 1062 from pivoting beyond the axial alignment of the links1060, 1064 so that the cart 110 may remain in either the incline orhorizontal configuration while the lift tool 110, 700 is used to lift anappliance as further discussed below. In one implementation, the cart110 may include a pair of upper and lower links 1060 and 1062. In thisimplementation, the rod 1078 pivotally connects the second ends 1070,1076 of the pair of links 1060 and 1062 such that when the rod 1078 ismoved upward, the legs 1006 and 1008 (e.g., as the cross-member 1066 isengaged by the lower links 1062) are rotated towards the frame 1010, andwhen the rod 1078 is moved downward, the legs 1006 and 1008 are rotatedaway from the frame 1010. As shown in FIG. 11, each leg 1006 and 1008may include a clamp 1082 that has an opening 1084 to receive and retainthe cross-member 1066.

[0069] To allow the cart 110 to be deployed between the inclined and thehorizontal configuration, each leg 1006, 1008 may have a sleeve 1086that is adapted to slidingly travel up and down the leg and thatpivotally connects the leg 1006, 1008 to the frame 1010 via a fastener1088, such as a bolt that extends through an opening in the leg 1006,1008 and is affixed (e.g., welded or riveted) at one end to the sleeve1086. The fastener may also extend through a spacer 1090, such as awasher, located between the sleeve 1086 and the leg 1006, 1008. Thesleeve 1086 has a locking mechanism 1092 that is adapted to releaseablyhold the sleeve 1086 near an upper end 1094 of the leg 1006, 1008 sothat the cart 110 may be deployed in the inclined configuration shown inFIG. 11. In one implementation, the locking mechanism 1092 includes alocking pin 1096 and an opening 1098 that extends through the sleeve1086 and that is adapted to receive and retain the locking pin 1096. Asshown in FIG. 12, each leg 1006, 1008 has a corresponding opening 1100that may be aligned with the opening 1098 in the sleeve 1086 to allowthe locking pin 1096 to engage the respective leg 1006, 1008, such thatthe sleeve 1086 is held near the upper end 1094 of the leg 1006, 1008.

[0070] In the implementation shown in FIG. 12, the locking mechanism1092 may be released by pulling the locking pin 1096 free from theopening 1100 near the upper end 1094 of the leg 1006, 1008. When thelocking mechanism 1092 is released, the sleeve 1086 is adapted to traveldown towards a lower end 1102 of the leg 1006, 1008. In oneimplementation, the sleeve 1086 may travel down the leg 1006, 1008 andrest on the clamp 1086 (or other protrusion located near the lower end1102 of the leg 1006, 1008) so that the upper end 1014 of the cart 110is lowered to be substantially level with the lower end 1012 of thecart, allowing the cart 110 to be deployed in the horizontalconfiguration shown in FIG. 12. When the cart 110 is in the horizontalconfiguration, the base plate 1036 may be pivoted such that a surface1104 of the base plate 1036 rests on the frame 1010.

[0071] The cart 110 may also have a pair of secondary wheels 1106, 1108.Each secondary wheel 1106, 1108 is mounted to the lower end 1102 of arespective leg 1006, 1008. In one implementation, each wheel 1106, 1108may be a castor that is adapted to pivot (e.g., up to 360°) in relationto the leg 1006, 1008. Thus, the cart 110 may travel on the wheels 1002,1004 and the secondary wheels 1106, 1108 while in either the inclinedconfiguration or the horizontal configuration.

[0072] In addition, the cart 110 may also have a handle 1110 that isattached to the upper end 1014 of the frame 1010. A person using themobile appliance lift tool 100 as shown in FIG. 1 may use the handle topivot the frame 1010 about the axis 1020 and to move the lift tool 120to a location, such as a garage of a home, where an appliance to bemoved is presently located.

[0073] Turning to FIG. 13, the mobile appliance lift tool 100 is showndeployed in an inclined configuration. In one implementation, the mobileappliance lift tool 100 may be deployed in the inclined configuration bymoving the rod 1078 downward so that links 1060 and 1062 pivot downwardtogether causing the legs 1006 and 1008 to rotate away from the frame1010. The locking mechanism 1092 of each sleeve 1086 is engaged (e.g.,locking pin 1096 is received by the opening 1096 of the leg 1006, 1008)to hold the sleeve 1086 near the upper end 1094 of the leg 1006, 1008 sothat the cart 110 is deployed in the inclined configuration. The baseplate 1036 is pivoted so that the base plate 1036 is perpendicular to ahorizontal axis 1302 of the cart 110 in the inclined configuration. Thebase plate 1036 may be held perpendicular to the horizontal axis 1302when the pivot bar 1024 engages the stop 1032. Struts 276, 278 aredisposed on either side 1016, 1018 of the frame 1010 so that each strut276, 278 extends from the upper cross-member 1058 to the base plate1036. In this implementation, each strut 276, 278 may be supported bythe front end 1038 of the base plate and the upper-cross member 1058. Inaddition, each strut 276, 278 may have a clasp 1304 that is pivotallyattached to the strut 276, 278 in proximity to the upper cross-member1058. Each clasp 1304 is adapted to selectively engage the uppercross-member 1058 so that the strut 276, 278 is selectively retained onthe cart 110. Each end of the upper cross-member 1058 may have a cap1306 adapted to inhibit the strut 276, 278 from moving laterally awayfrom the frame 1010 of the cart 110.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 12, the lift tool 120, 700, 800 may bepositioned on and secured to the struts 276, 278 via front 280 and rear282 flanges extending from the bottom plate 240, 705 of the lift tool.As previously discussed, the flanges 280, 282 may include slots 284 topermit forward or rearward adjustment of the lift tool 700 on the struts276, 278 as required for a particular installation application. As shownin FIG. 13, the flanges 280, 282 may extend from one side of the bottomplate 240, 705 of the lift tool 120 such that the other side of thebottom plate 240, 705 may be placed flush against a surface 112 of thecart 110 to further secure the lift tool 120 to the cart 110 when in themobile appliance lift tool 100 is deployed in the vertical configurationshown in FIG. 1. When the mobile appliance lift tool 100 is deployed inthe inclined configuration, the lift tool 120, 700, 800 may be raised toa predetermined height 1308 above ground level to allow the lift tool120, 700, 800 so that an appliance carried thereon may be raised to ahigher level (e.g., to reach a cabinet for installation of theappliance) then when the mobile appliance lift tool 100 is deployed inthe horizontal configuration.

[0075]FIG. 14 depicts the mobile appliance lift tool 100 deployed in thehorizontal configuration. In one implementation, the mobile appliancelift tool 100 may be deployed in the inclined configuration by movingthe rod 1078 downward so that links 1060 and 1062 pivot downwardtogether causing the legs 1006 and 1008 to rotate away from the frame1010. The locking mechanism 1092 of each sleeve 1086 may be released(e.g., locking pin 1096 is pulled from the opening 1096 of the leg 1006,1008) so that the sleeve 1086 may travel down the leg 1006, 1008 andrest on the clamp 1082. The base plate 1036 is pivoted so that thesurface 1104 of the base plate 1036 rests on the frame 1010. Struts 276,278 may be disposed on either side 1016, 1018 of the frame 1010 so thateach strut 276, 278 extends from the upper cross-member 1058 to the baseplate 1036. In this implementation, each strut 276, 278 may be supportedby the base plate 1036 resting on the frame 1010 and the upper-crossmember 1058. In addition, the clasp 1304 of each strut 276, 278 may bepivoted to selectively engage the upper cross-member 1058 so that thestrut 276, 278 is selectively retained on the cart 110. As shown in FIG.13, the lift tool 120, 700, 800 may be positioned on and secured to thestruts 276, 278 via front 280 and rear 282 flanges extending from thebottom plate 240, 705 of the lift tool as discussed above.

[0076] The mobile appliance lift tool 100 may be used to transport anappliance located in one area (e.g., the garage where the appliance mayhave been delivered by a retailer) to another area (e.g., the kitchen)where the appliance may be supported by the lift tool 120, 700, 800 ofthe mobile tool appliance tool 100 to facilitate the installation orremoval of the appliance. For example, the lift tool 120, 700, 800 ofthe mobile appliance lift tool 100 may be used to engage and support anupper appliance, such as a microwave oven, or a cabinet or other similaritem positioned above a range or cooktop or other lower appliance wherethe range or cooktop is positioned between two cabinets with countertopsurfaces. It is desirable to lift and support the upper appliancewithout utilizing the range or cooktop (lower appliance) as a supportingsurface, so as to prevent any damage to the top surface of the lowerappliance, which may not be designed to support the added weight of theupper appliance.

[0077] The mobile appliance lift tool 100 may be transported to wherethe upper appliance to be installed or removed is located. For example,the tool 100 may be transported while deployed in the verticalconfiguration as shown in FIG. 10. The mobile appliance lift tool 100may then be deployed in either the inclined or horizontal configurationso that the lift tool 120, 700, 800 of the mobile appliance lift tool100 may lift and support the upper appliance at a desired height.

[0078] Once the mobile appliance lift tool 100 is deployed in either theinclined or horizontal configuration, the lift tool 120, 700, 800 may beadjusted on the cart 110 so that the top plate 222, 703 is positioned toengage an appropriate area of the upper appliance being supported so asto adequately support the weight of the upper appliance, particularlywhere the upper appliance may have internal components located such thata center of gravity of the upper appliance is not centered within theupper appliance. When the upper appliance is to be installed, the upperappliance is placed on the top plate 222, 703 of the mobile appliancelift tool 100. The upper appliance is preferably transported by themobile appliance tool 100 while the lift tool 120, 700, 800 iscollapsed.

[0079] A tool, such as an electric drill with an appropriate driver, ora non-powered wrench or driver, may be used to engage the drive profile274, 778 of the drive screw 268, 748 to rotate the drive screw. Thiswill cause the top plate 222, 703 to rise in a horizontal orientation toeither lift the upper appliance which has been placed on the top plate,or to move up and engage a lower surface of the upper appliance to besupported and removed. Once the top plate 222, 703 has been moved upinto the correct position, the upper appliance may either be secured inplace, or detached from its attachment above the lower appliance byrelease of the fastening devices holding the upper appliance in thatposition. During this time, the mobile appliance lift tool 100 willfully support and stabilize the upper appliance. The rotationaldirection of the drive tool may then be reversed so that the drive screw268, 748 is driven in a reverse rotational direction causing the topplate 222, 703 to be moved downwardly toward the bottom plate 240, 705,thereby lowering the upper appliance that has been detached orcollapsing the lift tool after the upper appliance has been reattached.

[0080] As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention issusceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modificationswhich may differ particularly from those that have been described in thepreceding specification and description. It should be understood thatthe scope of the patent warranted hereon is intended to include all suchmodifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of thedisclosed contribution to the art.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A mobile appliance lifttool comprising: a top plate having a top end, a back end, and asubstantially horizontal orientation; a bottom plate having a front endand a rear end; a lift mechanism engaged between the top plate and thebottom plate to move the top plate toward and away from the bottom platewhile maintaining the horizontal orientation of the top plate. a carthaving a first pair of wheels, a pair of legs, and a frame having afirst end and a second end, the pair of wheels rotatably mounted nearthe first end of the frame, each leg having a sleeve pivotally attachingthe leg to the second end of the frame, each sleeve being adapted totravel up and down the leg to selectively move the frame between asubstantially horizontal configuration and a substantially inclinedconfiguration; and at least one strut extending across and mounted belowthe bottom plate, the at least one strut being selectively engaged tothe second end of the frame.
 2. The mobile appliance lift tool accordingto claim 1, wherein the cart further comprises a base plate that has anouter edge and an inner edge pivotally attached to the first end of theframe such that the base plate may be rotated to a position that issubstantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis of the cart, and the atleast one strut is adapted to selectively rest on the outer edge of thebase plate when the frame is in the inclined configuration.
 3. Themobile appliance lift tool according to claim 2, wherein the base platehas a top surface and the strut is adapted to selectively rest on thetop surface of the base plate when the second end of the frame is raisedsuch that the frame is in a vertical position.
 4. The mobile appliancelift tool according to claim 3, wherein the base plate has a bottomsurface, and the strut is adapted to selectively rest on the bottomsurface of the base plate when the frame is in the horizontalconfiguration and the base plate is pivoted so that the top surfacerests on the frame.
 5. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim1, wherein the frame includes an upper cross-member, and the at leastone strut includes a clasp disposed to selectively engage the uppercross-member.
 6. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 1,wherein the frame includes at least one supporting member that extendsfrom the first end to the second end of the frame and the cart includesan upper link pivotally attached to the supporting member, a lower linkpivotally attached to the upper link, and a secondary cross-memberextending between and operably connected to the legs of the cart.
 7. Themobile appliance lift tool according to claim 6, wherein the upper linkhas a first end pivotally attached to the supporting member between thelower end and a midpoint of the frame, and the lower link has a firstend pivotally attached to the secondary cross-member.
 8. The mobileappliance lift tool according to claim 7, wherein one of the upper andlower links has a flange adapted to abut the other one of the upper andlower links when the legs are rotated away from the frame and the upperand lower links are axially aligned.
 9. The mobile appliance lift toolaccording to claim 6, wherein each leg includes a clamp that has anopening to receive and retain the secondary cross-member.
 10. The mobileappliance lift tool according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve of at leastone leg includes a locking mechanism that is adapted to releaseably holdthe sleeve near an upper end of the leg so that the frame of the cartmay be deployed in the inclined configuration.
 11. The mobile appliancelift tool according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve of at least one legincludes a locking mechanism that is adapted to releaseably hold thesleeve near an upper end of the leg such that the frame of the cart maybe deployed in the inclined configuration.
 12. The mobile appliance lifttool according to claim 1, wherein at least one leg has a protrusiondisposed near the lower end of the leg, the protrusion being adapted tohold the sleeve when the frame of the cart is deployed in the horizontalconfiguration.
 13. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 1,wherein the lift mechanism includes: a spaced pair of first and secondpivot arms; each of the first pivot arms having a lower end pivotallyconnected near the rear end of the bottom plate and having an upper endslidingly engaged near the top end of the top plate; each of the secondpivot arms having an upper end pivotally connected near the back end ofthe top plate and having a lower end slidingly engaged near the frontend of the bottom plate, each pair of the first and second pivot armsbeing pivotally connected to each other approximately midway along theirlengths, a cross member connecting the second pivot arms near the lowerends of the second pivot arms, a threaded opening located in asurrounding material fixed relative to the cross member, a drive screwthreadingly extending through the threaded opening and being capturedrelative to the rear end of the bottom plate in a rotatable, but axiallyfixed manner;
 14. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 13,further comprising a roller bar extending between the upper ends of thefirst pivot arms.
 15. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim13, including a pivot bar extending between the lower ends of the firstpivot arms and secured to the bottom plate.
 16. The mobile appliancelift tool according to claim 13, including a pivot bar extending betweenthe two lower ends of the first pivot arms and wherein the drive screwextends through an oversize opening in the pivot bar.
 17. The mobileappliance lift tool according to claim 13, wherein the cross member hasan oversized opening therethrough for receiving the drive screw.
 18. Themobile appliance lift tool according to claim 17, including a bearinglocated in the oversized opening in the cross member.
 19. The mobileappliance lift tool according to claim 13, wherein the threaded openingis formed in a block separate from, but attached to the cross member.20. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 19, wherein theblock is attached to the cross member via a horizontal plate spacing theblock a distance rearward of the cross member.
 21. The mobile appliancelift tool according to claim 13, wherein the upper ends of the firstpivot arms carry rollers which are captured in slots formed in downwarddepending flanges of the top plate.
 22. The mobile appliance lift toolaccording to claim 13, wherein the lower ends of the second pivot armscarry rollers which are captured in tracks formed by upward and inwardextending flanges of the bottom plate.
 23. The mobile appliance lifttool according to claim 13, wherein the front strut is adjustablypositioned relative to the bottom plate in a front to rear direction.24. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 13, wherein thetop plate has downward and inward extending flanges that define a pairof tracks on respective sides of the top plate, the mobile appliancelift tool further comprising: a pair of rod retainer blocks disposedwithin the tracks and adapted to slidingly move along the tracks whenengaged; and a front rod extending between and pivotally attached to therod retainer blocks, the upper ends of the first pivot arms beingattached to the front rod.
 25. The mobile appliance lift tool accordingto claim 13, further comprising: a pair of rod retainer blocks disposednear the rear end of the bottom plate; and a rear rod extending betweenthe rod retainer blocks, the lower ends of the first pivot arms beingattached to the rear rod.
 26. The mobile appliance lift tool accordingto claim 13, wherein the bottom plate has upward and inward extendingflanges that define a pair of tracks on respective sides of the bottomplate, the mobile appliance lift tool further comprising: a pair of rodretainer blocks disposed within the tracks and adapted to slidingly movealong the tracks when engaged; and a front rod extending between andpivotally attached to the rod retainer blocks, the lower ends of thesecond pivot arms being attached to the front rod.
 27. The mobileappliance lift tool according to claim 13, further comprising: a pair ofrod retainer blocks disposed near the rear end of the top plate; and arear rod extending between the rod retainer blocks, the upper ends ofthe second pivot arms being attached to the rear rod.
 28. The mobileappliance lift tool according to claim 13, wherein the cross member is arod retainer block having an opening therethrough for receiving thedrive screw.
 29. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 13,further comprising a pivot block disposed near the rear end of thebottom plate and having a threaded opening to receive and engage thedrive screw.
 30. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 29,wherein the bottom frame has two parallel internal walls disposed suchthat the drive screw lies axially between the walls, and the pivot blockis pivotally attached to the walls.
 31. The mobile appliance lift toolaccording to claim 13, wherein the front strut is adjustably positionedrelative to the bottom plate in a front to rear direction.
 32. Themobile appliance lift tool according to claim 13, wherein the cartincludes a second pair of wheels disposed at the lower ends of the legs.33. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a front rod extending across the bottom plate and slidinglyengaged near the front end of the bottom plate; a rear rod disposed nearthe rear end of the bottom plate and extending across the bottom plate;wherein the lift mechanism includes: a spaced pair of first and secondpivot arms; each of the first pivot arms having a lower end pivotallyconnected to the rear rod and having an upper end slidingly engaged nearthe top end of the top plate; each of the second pivot arms having anupper end pivotally connected near the back end of the top plate andhaving a lower end pivotally connected to the front rod, each pair ofthe first and second pivot arms being pivotally connected to each otherapproximately midway along their lengths, and a jack operably coupled tothe front rod and operably configured to selectively adjust a distancebetween the front and rear rods.
 34. The mobile appliance lift toolaccording to claim 33, wherein the jack includes: a first pair of firstand second lever arms each having an inner end and an outer end, thepair of first and second lever arms are disposed in relation to thebottom plate and pivotally attached together near the inner end of eachlever arm, the outer end of the first lever arm engages the front rodand the outer end of the second lever arm engages the bottom frame; 35.The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 34, wherein the outerend of the first lever arm is pivotally attached to the front rod sothat the front rod is adapted to pivot when slidingly engaged to thebottom plate.
 36. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 34,wherein the outer end of the second lever arm is pivotally attached tothe rear rod.
 37. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 33,wherein the jack further includes: a second pair of first and secondlever arms, the first pair of lever arms is disposed in mirrorrelationship to the second pair of lever arms; a drive screw; a rodretainer block pivotally attached to the inner ends of the first pair oflever arms and having a threaded opening to receive and engage the drivescrew; and a pivot block pivotally attached to the inner ends of thesecond pair of lever arms and adapted to rotatingly receive and capturethe drive screw in an axial direction.
 38. A mobile appliance lift toolcomprising: a cart having a first pair of wheels, a pair of legs, and aframe having a first end and a second end, the pair of wheels rotatablymounted near the first end of the frame, each leg having a sleevepivotally attaching the leg to the second end of the frame, each sleevebeing adapted to travel up and down the leg to selectively move theframe between a substantially horizontal configuration and asubstantially inclined configuration; a lift tool having a bottom frame,a support platform disposed in a first orientation, and a lift mechanismengaged between the bottom frame and the support platform to move thesupport platform toward and away the bottom frame, while maintaining thesupport platform in the first orientation; and a strut mounted to thebottom frame of the lift tool and pivotally attached to the second endof the frame of the cart, the strut being disposed in a horizontalorientation when the frame is moved to the horizontal configuration andto the inclined configuration.
 39. The mobile appliance lift toolaccording to claim 37, wherein the cart further comprises a base platethat has an outer edge and an inner edge pivotally attached to the firstend of the frame such that the base plate may be rotated to a positionthat is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal axis of the cart,and the at least one strut is adapted to selectively rest on the outeredge of the base plate when the frame is in the inclined configuration.40. The mobile appliance lift tool according to claim 38, wherein thebase plate has a top surface and the strut is adapted to selectivelyrest on the top surface of the base plate when the second end of theframe is raised such that the frame is in a vertical position.
 41. Themobile appliance lift tool according to claim 33, wherein the base platehas a bottom surface, and the strut is adapted to selectively rest onthe bottom surface of the base plate when the frame is in the horizontalconfiguration and the base plate is pivoted so that the top surfacerests on the frame.